Abstract: A guidewire includes a guidewire shaft and an inflatable element arranged at a distal end of the guidewire shaft. At least a portion of the guidewire shaft is formed of metal, and the guidewire shaft includes a lumen that fluidly communicates with an interior of the inflatable element. The inflatable element is operable to transition between a deflated state in which the inflatable element is configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET), and an inflated state in which the inflatable element is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: A suction instrument includes a grip portion and a cannula. The grip portion includes a suction port and defines a first lumen. The cannula extends distally from the grip portion. The cannula defines a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen of the grip portion. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the second lumen. The first portion of the second lumen has a first cross-sectional area. The distal portion terminates into an open distal end. The distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the second lumen. The second portion of the second lumen has a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system includes an endoscope having a body, a shaft having a distal shaft end, an optical conduit, and a moveable optical element. The moveable optical element is configured to provide a field of view defining a line of sight, and is operable to capture an image within the field of view. The system further includes a drive mechanism operable to move the movable optical element to adjust a direction of the line of sight, a navigation sensor operable to generate a signal corresponding to a location of the distal shaft end within a patient, and a processor. The processor is operable to determine a location of the distal shaft end within the patient based on the signal, and command the drive mechanism to position the movable optical element so the line of sight is directed toward a selected point of interest within the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a sensor. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the shaft assembly. A portion of the end effector is offset from the longitudinal axis. The sensor is configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field. The signal is configured to indicate a position of the end effector within three-dimensional space. The sensor is coaxially positioned about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cylindraceous sleeve body, a navigation sensor, and an interface feature. The cylindraceous sleeve body includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. The lumen is sized and configured to receive a shaft of a medical instrument. The navigation sensor is positioned at the open distal end of the cylindraceous sleeve body. The interface feature is configured to couple the navigation sensor with an image guidance system. The navigation sensor is configured to cooperate with an image guidance system to provide feedback indicating a position of the navigation sensor in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An array of sensors may be used to perform touchless registration of landmarks of a patient's face before an ENT procedure in order to associate those landmarks with pre-operative images in three-dimensional space, which is required for image guided surgery features such as navigation. Touchless or light-touch registration may improve accuracy by avoiding the need for substantial pressing against a patient's skin, which may deform and thereby introduce erroneous registration data. A sensor may also be implemented in forms other than an array such as handheld probe having a single sensor as opposed to an array.

Abstract: A guidewire includes an elongate tube, a connector, a sensor, and a conduit. The elongate tube includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The elongate tube has a tubular profile with a substantially smooth surface extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The distal portion has an outer diameter sized to fit within a drainage passageway of a paranasal sinus. The elongate tube is formed of a material configured to tolerate sterilization. The connector is configured to communicate with a navigation system. The elongate tube is rotatable relative to the connector. The conduit extends from the connector to the sensor. The conduit is configured to communicate a signal from the sensor to the connector.

Abstract: Physicians performing invasive procedures require accuracy and precision when working with surgical tools. Surgical procedures are increasingly becoming minimally invasive, with physicians operating using cameras to view the surgery site and directing their tools through oculars or video displays. Ideally, the physician should be able to perform the invasive procedure while simultaneously observing both the real-time image of the patient and additional data critical for his medical decisions about the manipulation of the surgical tool and the next surgical step. The augmented reality navigation system of the present disclosure provides tool location visibility for invasive procedures through the use of location sensors included on a camera and/or on the tools used during a procedure. A location tracking system determines and monitors the locations of the tools and camera based on the characteristics of signals detected by the sensors and displays informational overlays on images obtained with a camera.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, a dilation catheter, a first guide catheter, and a guide catheter identification module. The body assembly includes a first electrical interface. The first guide catheter is configured to slidably receive the dilation catheter. The first guide catheter includes a first rigid shaft and a first guide catheter electrical contact. The first rigid shaft has a first rigid bend formed near the first distal end. The first rigid bend defines a first fixed bend angle. The first guide catheter is configured to be removably coupled with the body assembly such that the first guide catheter electrical contact engages the first electrical interface of the body assembly. The guide catheter identification module is operable to identify the first guide catheter based on engagement between the first guide catheter electrical contact and the first electrical interface of the body assembly.

Abstract: Physicians performing invasive procedures utilize instruments inserted into a human body to perform the procedures. Such procedures typically involve actions to be performed on specific targeted anatomical structures. During the procedure, nearby anatomical structures unrelated to the procedure should generally be avoided. A system and techniques are provided herein for monitoring the position of such unrelated nearby anatomical structures relative to one or more surgical instruments. The system emits a warning to a human operator such as a surgeon if one of the instruments is too close to a monitored anatomical structure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of tracking the surgical instrument includes a shaft, a cutting member, and navigation system. The shaft has a shaft lumen, a shaft window, and a shaft edge. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft lumen and is configured to cyclically move from a first position to a second position relative to the shaft. The cutting member includes a cutting window opening, a cutting edge, and a suction lumen to cut the tissue portion with the cutting member in the first position. The navigation system includes a navigation sensor positioned on at least one of the shaft or the cutting member that is configured to be tracked within a patient for identifying a positional movement of the shaft or the cutting member within the patient.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes an instrument position sensor operable to generate an instrument position signal. A first head position sensor is configured to be secured in a first fixed location on or in a patient's head and generate a first head position signal. Field generating elements are configured to generate an electromagnetic field around the patient's head. A processor processes the instrument position signal to determine positioning of the patient's instrument within the electromagnetic field. The processor also processes the first head position signal to determine positioning of the patient's head within the electromagnetic field. The processor determines the position of the instrument within the patient's head based on the determined position of the patient's instrument within the electromagnetic field and based further on the determined position of the patient's head within the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A dilation apparatus includes a handle assembly, a dilator, a guidewire, and a steering assembly. The dilator is connected to the handle assembly and is configured to transition between an unexpanded state and an expanded state. The guidewire is longitudinally fixed relative to the dilator. The steering assembly is configured to laterally deflect at least a portion of the guidewire relative to the handle assembly. The steering assembly includes an actuator coupled with the handle assembly and a pull wire extending between the actuator and guidewire. A portion of the pull wire is attached to the guidewire. The actuator is configured to move the pull wire relative to the handle assembly in order to laterally deflect the at least a portion of the guidewire.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a catheter shaft, an expandable element, and a navigation sensor. The catheter shaft has a proximal shaft portion defining a proximal shaft end, a distal shaft portion defining a distal shaft end, and a working lumen extending between the proximal and distal shaft ends. The expandable element is disposed on the distal shaft portion proximally of the distal shaft end, and is configured to expand to dilate an anatomical passageway of a patient. The navigation sensor is arranged at the distal shaft portion, and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to a location of the distal shaft portion within the patient. In various examples, the dilation catheter may further include a bulbous distal tip, and the navigation sensor may be arranged within the bulbous distal tip.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of removing a portion of a tissue mass includes a shaft, a cutting member, and an aspiration vent. The shaft has a shaft lumen, a shaft window, and a shaft edge. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft lumen and is configured to cyclically move from a first position to a second position relative to the shaft. The cutting member includes a cutting window opening, a cutting edge, and a suction lumen to cut the tissue portion with the cutting member in the first position. The aspiration vent extends through at least one of the shaft or the cutting member for fluid communication with the suction lumen to suction an airflow for urging the tissue portion away from the cutting edge and along the suction lumen.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongate body configured to be inserted through the nasal cavity of a patient, and a plurality of electrodes spaced circumferentially about an exterior of the elongate body. The electrodes may be arranged at a distal end of the elongate body, and are configured to deliver bipolar RF energy to tissue for sealing the tissue. The elongate body may be in the form of a shaft having a lumen configured to draw fluid proximally through the surgical instrument with suction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cannula assembly and a sensor assembly. The cannula assembly includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The cannula is formed of a rigid material. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a communication wire. The sensor is fixed to the cannula assembly. The communication wire is in electrical communication with the sensor. The communication wire extends along a length of the cannula assembly exterior to the first lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a proximal coil, a distal potion, a navigation sensor, and a communication wire. The proximal coil is formed by a wire wrapped in a helical configuration. The proximal coil is flexible. The distal portion is positioned at a distal end of the proximal coil. The distal portion is non-extensible. The distal portion may be formed by a rigid tube. The distal portion may alternatively be formed by a soldered region of the proximal coil. The navigation sensor is located within the distal portion. The navigation sensor is configured to generate signals in response to movement within an electromagnetic field. The communication wire is in electrical communication with the navigation sensor such that the communication wire is configured to communicate signals from the navigation sensor.